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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 x+IRNyO45akItP3+DJuqZg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001316083-10-000001.txt : 20100203
<SEC-HEADER>0001316083-10-000001.hdr.sgml : 20100203
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100203133848
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001316083-10-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100201
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100203
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100203

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Horn Sidney Mortimer
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001316083

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18632
		FILM NUMBER:		10569874

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O STIKEMAN ELLIOTT
		STREET 2:		1155 RENE LEVESQUE BOULEVARD, 40TH FLOOR
		CITY:			MONTREAL
		STATE:			A8
		ZIP:			H3B3V2

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WET SEAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000863456
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORES [5621]
		IRS NUMBER:				330415940
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		26972 BURBANK
		CITY:			FOOTHILL RANCH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92610
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7145839029

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		26972 BURBANK
		CITY:			FOOTHILL RANCH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92610
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-02-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000863456</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WET SEAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WTSLA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001316083</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Horn Sidney Mortimer</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>26972 BURBANK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FOOTHILL RANCH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92610</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock Class A</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-02-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>34328</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>3.35</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>281810</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock granted pursuant to The Wet Seal, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.  The stock award will fully vest on February 1, 2011.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Steve Benrubi  For: Sidney Horn</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-02-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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